The movie “Dodgeball” turned a childhood game into a legitimate sport, as evidenced by the third annual Sac State Throwdown hosted by the Recreational Sports department.

“When you were little you played it for fun,” senior Elgin Acorda said. “Now it has more strategy to it.”

Thirty teams and 250 players dueled in the double-elimination tournament that lasted nearly four hours. The Hornets Nest was converted into three dodgeball courts with balls flying and players in motion trying to avoid being eliminated.

“I didn’t think it would be this tiring,” freshman Stephen Schaupp said. “With it more organized it’s pretty intense but it’s fun.”

Just like the movie, players growled and chanted to intimidate opponents. Of course, in any high-stakes tournament, there were arguments about rules that became heated at times.

Several of the teams of eight were formed on the fly by students who showed up without a team. More people in the gym were playing rather than watching, making it a very interactive tournament.

“If you don’t have any plans, rec sports are a good chance to make friends,” senior Ed Pagliere said. “I’m taking eight classes so I have no time to party, so this is what I do.”

Ken Morton, coordinator of Rec Sports, doesn’t see this turning into a league, however.

“As a league it would lose some of its pizzazz,” Morton said. “I don’t see people coming back up to school to play for 15 minutes plus it’s more exciting in tournament form.”

Dodgeball is a sport for fans of underdog comebacks. Schuapp was the last player left for his team and battled back from being outmanned by four players.

“I had the weight of my team on my shoulders,” Schuapp said. “I got it down from four on one to one on one before I was eliminated. It’s a rush.”

The women were in on the action too, as almost every team was co-ed. It was a new experience for freshman Stephanie Hurley.

“People are going all out and it’s intense,” Hurley said. “Guys are mean.”

Dixon Balls went undefeated to win the tournament. Their strategy: rushing the center of the court, balls in hand, and throwing in unison at the opposing team. It worked well.

“This year was a lot more fun and competitive,” senior Brodie McNabb said. “I’m pumped that we are champions.”

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Steven Blakesley can be reached at [email protected]